Murray discusses issues at Minot

  • Published
  • By Airman Katherine E. Booher
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) --  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray discussed current issues with airmen here during a visit Aug. 28 to 30.

Topics included the test utility uniform, the Dorms-4-Airmen Program, the new fitness standards, air and space expeditionary force rotations, and retention and recruiting rates.

Murray said the utility uniforms are designed to create a unique look for the Air Force, but they are also made to be comfortable and functional.

“This uniform design came after years of inputs about redesigning it for functionality, the needs of our Air Force and where we perform our mission,” he said. “Not only will the uniform be distinctive from the other services, but it will look better, fit better and be more cost-effective for our airmen because it won’t require professional laundering or starch.”

The chief said he has initially received both positive and negative feedback, but he cautions people against judging the uniform until they have had a good look at it.

“Everyone who has seen and worn this uniform really likes it, but I don’t expect every airman to like it,” Murray said. “I do expect every airman to provide objective, professional input when (the uniforms) come into the field in January.”

Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, will ultimately accept all, some or none of the proposed uniform, and there are “a lot of factors” that will come into play before he makes any decision, Murray said.

The uniform is designed to replace all other utility uniforms, including the desert camouflage battle dress uniform, according to Murray.

“We are looking at one uniform for all environments our airmen deploy into,” Murray said. “We recognize that some airmen in specialized jobs will need a different uniform, and we will have policies that would govern that, but we plan for this uniform to replace both (battle dress) uniforms we currently have in place.”

Another topic Murray addressed was the Dorms-4-Airmen Program where each room will have its own bathroom, and every four dorm rooms will share a common living area with a central kitchen.

“When I was an airman, the standard was three and four people to a room with a central hallway and gang latrines,” Murray said. “This program is a continued emphasis in providing a better quality of life for our airmen because now we’re looking at the best way to consolidate space while giving airmen a little more privacy along the way.”

The new dorms will require an adjustment to who is allowed to live in them, according to Murray.

The Air Force used to build dorms for senior airmen and below. Now, dorms are built to house only those with less than three years of service, he said.

“That standard will vary depending on location and housing availability, but we believe our airmen will show the maturity to live anywhere they choose,” Murray said. “Ultimately we have the responsibility to provide good-quality dorms on the base while at the same time allowing those airmen (who) have the financial means to live off base the ability to do so.”

The chief also addressed the new fitness standards beginning in January and said the program’s goal is to improve airmen’s overall fitness.

“We deploy people to all parts of the world and to all different environments in stressful situations for long periods of time,” Murray said. “It is a proven fact that maintaining fitness standards improves our ability to meet and sustain that mission. Given that, fitness becomes a readiness issue.”

Murray emphasized the responsibility placed on senior leaders to help airmen get ready.

“It is no longer just up (to) the individual to pass. It is to be a commander’s program,” Murray said. “Officers and (noncommissioned officers) will lead this in the force.

“The ultimate goal is not to see people fail, but to see people raise their health through combined efforts,” he said.

Even with the many deployments supporting the war, Murray said the Air Force is close to getting AEF rotations back to normal.

“All indications are that by March 2004, we will return to our 90-day, 15-month cycle,” Murray said. “The good thing is our AEF worked for us. It met our needs in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but we had to suspend it because we deployed more airmen than we were capable of sustaining in two AEF buckets. Now that we have been able to reduce our airmen, we have gone into the 120-day Blue and Silver AEFs that will allow (us) to get back on track.”

Despite the tumultuous past few years, Murray said retention rates are improving, and the Air Force is working hard to keep them at a continuously rising level.

“Our retention improved in 2002, but this year we are exceeding our rates for first-term airmen and are only 1 percent off for second-term and career airmen,” Murray said. “Overall, we are pleased with the rates, but that doesn’t diminish our focus. We are a retention-based force and … we keep a continued emphasis on retaining the best quality airmen we can possibly keep.”

Murray said he was impressed by the number of professional development opportunities airmen have.

“The highlight I’ve seen is that senior leadership fully supports the professional development of our corps,” Murray said. “That follows right in line with our core competency of developing airmen, and it follows General Jumper’s idea of focusing on force development. Development of our airmen is one of the most important things we do.”